Dyslexia and the Covid Pandemic

That the Parliament notes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people with dyslexia, including people in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire; understands that approximately 10% of the population are dyslexic, of which a significant number remain undiagnosed; recognises that, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, losing half a year of schooling could result in a loss of £40,000 in income over a child’s lifetime; recognises that this will be worse for children with dyslexia without early intervention and specialist support; understands that psychology assessments for dyslexia are not as accessible during the pandemic; notes dyslexic parents and children will be struggling with home-schooling brought about by school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic; recognises that based on the pupil census figures, it was identified by the Cross Party Group on Dyslexia that over a third of local authorities are year-on-year consistently failing to meet the national average for that year (6% in 2019) when identifying dyslexic pupils in secondary schools; considers that more resources must be given to teaching staff, along with access to additional support; notes the success of the Dyslexia Scotland Tutor Bursary Fund, providing free dyslexia tuition to those affected by school lockdown closures, and notes the belief that it would be beneficial in relation to economic opportunities and mental health and wellbeing for the Scottish Government to offer free diagnostic dyslexia assessments to adults, in addition to children.